Brazilian Journal of Biology https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.211956 ISSN 1519-6984 (Print) Original Article ISSN 1678-4375 (Online) Gastrointestinal helminths in dog feces surrounding suburban areas of Lower Dir district, Pakistan: A public health threat W. Khana* , N. N. Nisab, S. Ullaha, S. Ahmadc, S. A. Mehmoodc, M. Khana, S. Ahmada, W. Alid, Hamid Ullahe and Khurshaid Anwarf aLaboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan bPakistan Agricultural Research Council, Southern Zone-Agricultural Research Center, Vertebrate Pest Control Institute, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan cDepartment of Zoology, University of Hazara, Mansehra, Pakistan dDepartment of Biotechnology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan eDepartment of Zoology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan fLive Stock Research and Dairy Development Department, KP, Pakistan *e-mail:
[email protected] Received: 16 August 2018 – Accepted: 25 March 2019 – Distributed: August 31, 2020 Abstract Data on environmental contamination of the parasites of zoonotic importance is scarce in Pakistan. Soil contamination with feces of dogs hide infective stages of the parasite represents a health-risk to humans. This study was aimed to assess the eggs of gastrointestinal parasites of stray dogs and household dogs in lower Dir district, Pakistan with special consideration to those that can be spread to humans. One hundred and fifty two stool specimens from (stray dogs=90 and household dogs=62) were collected. The helminth eggs were processed by direct smear method and centrifugation techniques and identified by microscopic examination. Of the total examined dogs 26.8% (n=41 /152) were found to be infected with one or more intestinal parasites.